On 30 January 2015, the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy NIMD and AWEPA alliance was selected by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a strategic partner for the years 2016-2020. The partnership focuses on strengthening civil society organizations… Read more

Arusha, Tanzania – The Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa Parliament (CEMAC) and AWEPA, in cooperation with the Network of African Parliamentarians (NAP), organises an exchange workshop on the “Institutional Strengthening of International Parliamentary Bodies and their… Read more

#ZeroFGM – The International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation, on 6 February each year, is a time to make the world aware of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). Female genital mutilation (FGM) comprises… Read more

Ouiddah, Bénin – In the framework of their partnership with the National Assembly of Benin, AWEPA and the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD) organised the first session of the Beninese School of Politics in Ouiddah… Read more

Written by Mr. Luc Dhoore and Ms. Julie Standaert in an autobiographical narrative, the publication takes the reader to central Africa, back in the mid-90s. As it was during this time and in many parts of… Read more

Background South Sudan is marred by bitter ethnic divisions that date back more than a century. AWEPA believes they can only be solved by education, economic development and responsive governance. The programme strengthens the capacity… Read more

This handbook is intended for use by Councillors drawn from 10 Councils of the Central Equatoria and Eastern Equatoria States of the Republic of South Sudan. It is among the several modules AWEPA South Sudan… Read more

the experts from the first panel – Mr. Kurt Müllauer from the Austrian Chamber of Commerce, Marieta Kaufmann of the Netzwerk Soziale Verantwortung, Ms. Jutta Kepplinger, Ms. Miriam Saage-Maaß of the European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR) , and Ms. Samantha Hargreaves of the International Alliance for Natural Ressources in Africa (IANRA).

The Pan African Parliament (PAP) in conjunction with the Association of European Parliamentarians with Africa (AWEPA) hosted a High Level Seminar at the PAP in Midrand, South Africa, on October 2-3, 2014. The seminar marked 30 years of AWEPA’s existence and 10 years of the PAP’s existence. Sir Paul Collier, Professor of Economics and Public Policy at the Blavatnik School of Government, helped frame the African-European Dialogue on how to manage migration for development through a very interesting video message. More information in this article.

Almost 60 members of parliament, senators, parliamentary staff and journalists attended a conference in Bujumbura on the preconditions for free and fair elections in 2015 -and for its results to be accepted by everyone. The event was organised by the National Assembly of Burundi in collaboration with the Association of European Parliamentarians with Africa (AWEPA). More information in this article.
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We have interviewed Ms. Kris Debref, the manager of AWEPA’s programmes in South Sudan. Kris Debref discussed the importance of the community outreach visits, the challenges which local councillors have to overcome and the programmes’ achievements so far.
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Twenty Beninese parliamentarians conducted a series of public hearings in eight municipalities across the country. Sanitation, hygiene, health, security, agriculture and local taxation were some of the topics which were tabled.
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Mr. Henk Jan Ormel is a former Dutch MP and Vice President of AWEPA. In this interview, he speaks about the key role of European and African parliamentarians in ensuring the sustainability of agriculture while feeding a growing global population.
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On 10 March 2014, Dutch MP and New Head of the AWEPA Section in the Netherlands, Hon. Marit Maij, visited AWEPA’s Headquarters. After exchanging about the future priorities of the Section, Hon. Maij gave an interview about Europe-Africa relations as well as the urge for more women in parliaments.
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In the context of encouraging (aspiring) women politicians and women and men wishing to support them, we spoke with Hon. Bayr on the experience and choices that she, as a woman politician, has gone through to make her successful in her chosen career. Hon. Bayr is an Austrian MP, Head of the AWEPA Section in Austria and Senior Parliamentary Advisor of AWEPA’s FGM/C Programme.
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In late 2013, Mvolo County Councilors outreached to the municipality of Lamo Boma (Central Equatoria State, South Sudan), to interface with the communities they represent. Councilors also participated in a training on service delivery, decentralisation and the local government system, among other topics.
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In December 2013, Dutch MP Marit Maij was appointed new chair of the Dutch AWEPA Section. She introduced herself and spoke about her motivations to take on this new role, as well as the priorities of the Section in 2014. More information on the 29 Sections of the Association of European Parliamentarians with Africa (AWEPA) is available here: http://a-dtap.awepa.org/members
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Dr. Jeff Balch, Director of Research and Evaluation at AWEPA, participated in the latest meeting of the Steering Committee of the Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation (march 2013). The Partnership, created in 2011, engages with a range of global policy processes in the lead up to the post-2015 development agenda. Dr. Balch highlighted the importance of engaging parliamentarians on both ends of the aid equation.
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Programme(s): Supporting Legislative Institutions in Somalia Mr. Peter de Clercq (UN Deputy Special Representative for Somalia), spoke about Somalia’s current developments, future perspective and the role of the Diaspora during a meeting recently organised by the Association of European Parliamentarians with Africa (AWEPA) with members of the Somali diaspora in the Netherlands among others.
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Brendan Howlin, TD Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, speaking about the future of foreign assistance amid the global financial crisis and about the key role of the Association of European Parliamentarians with Africa (AWEPA).
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In October 2011, six women Members of the South Sudan National Legislative Assembly (NLA) travelled to the rural areas of Mundri East County and Western Equatoria State to meet with local women organisations. During the visit, the MPs and local women discussed the challenges they face due to the lack of infrastructure in South Sudan. Through these consultations, the MPs developed a more clear understanding of the needs of the rural populations, which included hospitals, transport and roads, schools, seeds for agriculture, clean water, and power, among others. The women also discussed the prevalence of youth pregnancy, and the spread of diseases such as Malaria, Typhus and Nodding.
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The Parliament of Burkina Faso is seeking concrete ways to take action against female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) that is still widely practice throughout the country. During a two-day workshop organised by the National Assembly, in cooperation with the Association of European Parliamentarians with Africa (AWEPA), over fourty Members of Parliaments (MPs), representatives of the government and local NGOs exchanged ideas on how best to undertake and coordinate action towards the abandonment of the practice. The workshop resulted in the adoption of proposed “Key Parliamentary Actions” for MPs to undertake in order to favour the abandonment of FGM/C in Burkina Faso.
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A former child soldier, Mr Kon Kelei, is now a lawyer, teacher and advocate for child rights in armed conflict areas. Mr. Kelei spoke at an expert meeting at the Dutch Parliament on 29 February 2012 where he called on parliamentarians worldwide to support the process of democratisation in South Sudan. For more information on this event please visit the events page on the AWEPA website, at http://a-dtap.awepa.org/news/expert-meeting-discussion-on-south-sudan/
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AWEPA works in cooperation with African Parliaments to strengthen parliamentary democracy in Africa, to keep Africa high on the political agenda in Europe and to facilitate African-European Parliamentary dialogue.